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Limbaugh, meanwhile, also told listeners he took offense at Biden’s comment, asking, “What is bittersweet about 9/11?”

“Clint Eastwood was right. This guy is the intellect of the Democrat Party. What is bittersweet about 9/11? … What does he think it is? With 9/11, it’s all bitter. What’s bittersweet? ‘Oh, Rush, that’s just Joe. That’s just Joe.’ The networks will tell you, the media. ‘It’s just Joe. It’s just Joe. His intentions, he really means well. He’s got a big heart. Really cares.’ Oh, okay. Okay. Fine,” Limbaugh said, according to a transcript on his site.

The vice president also said on Tuesday he hoped those that lost loved ones on 9/11 find “solace knowing that this nation, all these people gathered here today, were not family members. All your neighbors, that they’ve not forgotten. They’ve not forgot the heroism of your husbands, wives, sons, daughters, mothers, fathers.”

Lisa Linden, spokesperson for the Families of Flight 93, said the term “bittersweet” is one that the families “have used over the years to describe their feelings when they return to the site.”

“‘Bitter’ relates to their feeling of loss and the violent nature of the death of their loved ones. ‘Sweet’ relates to the development of a permanent national memorial honoring their loved ones, the heroes of Flight 93 who died in freedom’s name, collectively bringing down the plane which was likely headed for the Capitol building in Washington, DC,” Linden wrote in an email to POLITICO. “Vice President Biden made heartfelt remarks today, which were deeply appreciated by the families. And no one has done more for this memorial than Flight 93 Superintendent Jeff Reinhold.”

While Biden’s bittersweet comment also sparked some controversy on Twitter and in the blogosphere, the Washington Examiner’s Charlie Spiering wrote that “people should probably give Biden some space. If you are commemorating Flight 93; that specific event is one of both heroism and tragedy.”

Readers' Comments (23)

Too bad about Hannity and Limbaugh only focusing on the word "bitter". There are those of us who use the occasion to remember, with sweet remembrance, the lives of the good people who were killed in the attacks and the goodness of those who gave up their lives while trying to save others. Sounds to me like Hannity and Limbaugh are, as usual, trying to stir the pot of division on a day when America tries to stand united.

Those two morons purposely ignored VP Joe Biden's reference to the here-and-now-TODAY "bittersweet" memorial gathering. Biden wasn't directly referring to the day 11 years ago, he was referring to TODAY.

“ ' But like all of the families, we wish we weren’t here. We wish we didn’t have to be here. We wish we didn’t have to commemorate any of this. AND IT'S A BITTERSWEET MOMENT for the entire nation, for all of the country, but particularly FOR THOSE FAMILY MEMBERS GATHERED HERE TODAY,' Biden said in Shanksville, Pa."

But when Biden DID refer to 9/11 eleven years ago, it was in these terms: "...he hoped those that lost loved ones on 9/11 find 'solace knowing that this nation, all these people gathered here today, were not family members. All your neighbors, that they’ve not forgotten. They’ve not forgot the heroism of your husbands, wives, sons, daughters, mothers, fathers.' ”

Hannity & Limbaugh???? - no RATIONAL person would take either one of these buffoons seriously...everyone else 'gets' the bittersweet comment - getting together to celebrate the lives of the heros of flight 93...NOTHING is sacred to the criiticism of these goofs, not even the 9/11 anniversary.

Wow. I'm going third party. These clowns have spoon fed people nonsense long enough. Bittersweet - remembering "Let's roll!", remembering bravery, remembering sacrifice, remembering no parties, races, religions, etc. Yes, the attack was evil but the American response was sweet and amazing. People came together as Americans. We as a nation prayed together, huddled with family in front of the TV together, hugged together. We remember people putting aside snide comments, partisan bickering, and self absorbed one liners in the name of ratings for that day to come together under one flag. So yeah, bittersweet. For the guys who wrap themselves up in flags and chant USA so much you think they would have gotten this. You'd think one day out of the year they would put down the kool aid and just live in that moment and remember the bigger picture. Who are the buffoons now?

Today 9/11/2012: American killed as Libyans burn US consulate. Egyptian Muslims storm and overrun US Embassy in Cairo and destroy the US flag while chanting "Obama, Obama there are still a billion Osamas." The US Embassy apologizes to the Muslims ransacking the Embassy. Obama refuses to meet with Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel. Tells him that he "does not have time" to meet with him this month. Obama announces he will appear on David Letterman's show again.

Wow its pathetic they just couldn't help themselves..had to politicize 9/11. And yes, it is bittersweet when you don't focus on your hate for the attackers but your love for those we lost and heroes we had that day. Again. Pathetic.

Regarding "Longhorn's" post below about the Embassy riots and killing. The U.S. specifically did NOT apologize to anyone. The protests in question were sparked by an inflammatory anti-Islam film promoted by tne same rabble rousing Florida pastor who wanted to burn stacks of Korans for the media. This is what HIS actions create. Obama had nothing to do with it and Hillary Clinton is trying to tamp down the rioting, but did NOT apologize for anyone,. She CONDEMNED the Pastor's actions, as any sensible U.S. citizen would.

I wouldn't exactly call what these clowns do "hate radio"... it is more like completely retarded, ignorant, pandering, laugh-a-minute fake conservative crap. These idiots don't mean a stitch of what they spew. They just know the numbnuts out there go bonkers over their drivel.

Have you ever actually listened? The callers they get... now I know where they get talent for Fox & Friends. It really is pathetic that so many people believe what they are saying.

Don't either of you fools know the meaning of bittersweet? The fact that these brave souls were lost at all and that they died as a result of such an act of hatred is bitter. But honoring their bravery, taking the time to remember them and acknowledge their courage and sacrifice, and gathering at the place they died so their families will know they live in our hearts forever, that is sweet. Bittersweet. Get it now?

That's what Joe Biden meant by the term and considering what he's survived in his own life, I believe he would know. He was speaking of the tragic reality and the rare honor he felt in being there to share that moment. Bittersweet is the perfect description of that.

So seriously, can't you stop the twisted vitriol for even a moment? Can't you look at the sincere efforts of a man who has suffered great tragedy himself and give him the benefit of the doubt on one, single word, particularly on such a day as this? If not for his sake, could you do it for ours, or maybe for God's sake?

And what about the rest of his words that were so beautifully and eloquently expressed? Don't they mean anything, or did you only read far enough to find an attack point?

Why would anyone think a morally bankrupt , convicted felon and some gasbag hack on the teet and leash of gop pravda have ANY clue that Vice President Biden was addressing both the bitter loss of life on Flight 93 and the sweet remembrance of their heroism to the end ?

And why is this even worth writing about on Politico or anywhere else ? What's the next headline ? " Ultra Right Wing Zoo Monkeys Seen Throwing Feces " ?

It's as if Rush and Hannity and others like them aren't all there. Whenever there's a memorial after a tragedy, it brings back the sweetness of the moments spent with people no longer with us.

Those on the left and right who engage in destructive tactics--and that includes demonizers like Clint Eastwood and Dick Cheney--damage candidates so much that survivors of the political contest find it hard to govern. When it comes to foreign affairs, the cheap-shooters undermine the interests of the United States.

This election season, more than any other in recent memory--except perhaps the unjustified swift-boating of John Kerry--show just how bankrupt our politics have become.